Search results

Boris Pistorius: A lesson for companies and testimony to the importance of employees aged 50+ Blog post by Stefano Pettinella - Partner & Pet Industry Lead of Riebensahm Agribusiness Recruiting Boris Pistorius (63) is a phenomenon. No sooner than he was appointed as new German Defense Minister early 2023, the ZDF-Politbarometer (the renowned polling institute of a leading German TV channel) listed him as the most popular politician in Germany by a wide margin. Why is that and what conclusions should I as an employer draw from this? The German defense minister is a classic “silverback”. Silverbacks are employees over the age of 50 whose added value is regularly underestimated by companies, especially in times of the significant shortage of qualified candidates in Germany. Silverbacks have decades of experience, silverbacks have “shed their antlers”. Silverbacks have “been there, done that” in their professional lives. Silverbacks no longer need to flaunt their egos or puff their chests to look better to their superiors. Silverbacks can deal with a wide variety of characters. Silverbacks don't waste time on things that are a waste of time. Boris Pistorius had never been perceived as an expert for the job as defense minister, and yet he has done almost everything right so far. He learned his profession, politics, from scratch – first as mayor in local politics, then as a simple member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament and in various ministerial offices at state level. Because of his breadth and depth of experience, he has his current job at the federal level firmly under control. From the beginning there was never the slightest doubt that he would not shy away from the upcoming challenges within the Bundeswehr and in the Ukraine war, but instead would take them head on. He didn't hesitate make his mark either. Why? On the one hand, he had the experience to see things as they are and the knowledge that timidity and reluctance in decision-making are not effective. On the other hand, Boris Pistorius has nothing to lose, nor the need to position himself as "everybody's darling" to secure better chances for the next promotion. Boris Pistorius is an outstanding example of how older, "more experienced" employees are an asset to companies (there are undoubtedly exceptions, such as Pistorius' predecessor in office). And given the omnipresent shortage of qualified talents and executives, one should think that this has also reached the management level of most companies. But it has not! In reality, finding a job for the 50+ demographic in Germany is still very challenging. This is mainly based on prejudices: too expensive, no longer able to learn, not motivated, health problems, etc. But these are prejudices that must be checked in each individual case. It has happened to me repeatedly that candidates presented were immediately rejected because of their age and without our dossier having been looked through in detail - although the refusal was of course worded much more diplomatically. As soon as you get to know many of the candidates aged 50+ better, take a closer look at their rich and long-standing experience and know-how, their aspirations and creativity, you will find that the vast majority have what I consider to be the single most important virtue: serenity! This more confident approach to challenges and far-sightedness usually leads to better results. This target group also has a high degree of social competence and a stronger sense of loyalty. And as long as you treat silverbacks with respect, they are rather unlikely to change jobs before retirement. It is obvious: Boris Pistorius does not suffer from a big ego. Should he ever be put up as next German Chancellor, it would be ok for him. And if not, then that would be okay too. And in the meantime, he courageously and with a lot of tenacity is focusing on his tasks and does a very good job that is widely recognized by the German public. Stefano Pettinella Senior Consultant & Partner Riebensahm Agribusiness Recruiting stefano.pettinella@riebensahm-recruiting.de

A blog post in the series 'Job Change in Agribusiness' by Dr. Jochen Riebensahm, Agribusiness Lead 'Livestock & Technology' and Partner of Riebensahm Agribusiness Recruiting. Since Corona, the first meeting between applicant and company is almost routinely conducted via video. Unfortunately, when evaluating interviews, I notice that time and again candidates *) who are best qualified in terms of their CV and competencies are not invited to the second appointment or do not receive the job offer they had hoped for. From my point of view as a personnel consultant with the experience of more than 1000 job interviews, you should definitely pay attention to the following no-go's during video interviews or avoid them through good preparation: Show up unprepared: Make sure you have the necessary software installed and are familiar with the video conferencing tool. Test the camera, microphone, and Internet connection in advance to . Distracting backgrounds, interruptions and other distractions: Pay attention to your background during the video interview. Avoid messy or distracting backgrounds. Choose a quiet location with neutral or professional surroundings where someone isn't unplanned walking through the frame behind you or the mailman is ringing the doorbell during the interview. When the video connection is up, mute your cell phone and inform roommates or family members about the interview to avoid interruptions. Make sure that you are well lit, but at the same time that no blinding light or sun disturbs the interviewer.. Inappropriate attire: dress appropriately for the interview, even if you are attending from home. Choose appropriate business attire to make a professional impression. Too little eye contact: Try to make regular eye contact with the camera and not look at the screen or other elements. This will make you appear more focused and engaged to the interviewer. Inappropriate speaking speed: it is understandable that you may be excited. Even then, make sure you speak at an appropriate pace so that the interviewer can understand you well. Avoid speaking too fast or too slow. Try to articulate yourself clearly and distinctly.. Lack of interaction: Show active participation and interest during the video interview by agreeing, nodding and giving appropriate non-verbal signals. Let the interviewer finish and do not interrupt. Do not ask questions: When given the opportunity, use it to ask your questions. Show interest in the company, position or team. Avoid asking no questions or only superficial questions.. By avoiding these specific no-go's, you'll do a lot to make a professional and positive impression during the video interview. If you have any questions about this or the entire topic of job interviews, talk to the consultants and coaches at Riebensahm Agribusiness Recruiting: Stefano Pettinella – Pet Industry Lead & Coach | LINK Michael Witt – Agribusiness Lead ’Crop’ & Coach | LINK Dr. Jochen Riebensahm - Agribusiness Lead ’Livestock & Technology’ & Coach

A blog post in the series: 'Job Change in Agribusiness' by Bettina Lichtenberg I don't know how many times I've been asked in job interviews what my biggest weakness is. Sometimes I said that I am too impatient (which is true, ask my former team members) or that I have a perfectionist streak (which is also true). The weaknesses question probably comes up in almost every interview. It's a classic stress question - and good for making you nervous. With these questions, the recruiters want to find out how well you reflect on yourself and deal with your weaknesses. The first time I was asked in a job interview what my greatest strength is, I actually had to think. How about you? Do you know what your greatest strength is? When I talk to my clients about their strengths, many talk about their professional successes in the past. Others talk about what makes them happy. But both can be misleading. Because a normal professional career is determined by many coincidences. And our professional successes do not always make us happy. In addition, we often don't feel comfortable talking about our strengths. This is especially true for women, but not only. One doesn't want to brag... Okay, for an interview, I'm sure you can find a few strengths to score points with, e.g. Reliability Perseverance Creativity Ability to work in a team Ability to work under pressure Initiative But it is worthwhile to take a closer look at your strengths. Your strengths are part of your personality. The better you know yourself, the greater the chances that you will find a job that suits you perfectly. And that's what we all want. My tip for finding your strengths: Identify the moments when you really feel good about yourself. The moments when you are completely yourself. What are the strengths behind them? Because a key reason for this inner fulfillment is that you can fully express your strengths and your potential in such a moment. Have you ever thought more intensively about your strengths? What experiences do you have with them? We are looking forward to your comments! Questions? Then please feel free to contact us! Stefano Pettinella | Pet Industry Lead | https://tinyurl.com/SPettinella Michael Witt | Agribusiness Lead 'Crop' | https://tinyurl.com/MichaelWitt Dr. Jochen Riebensahm | Agribusiness Lead ’Livestock & Technology’ | https://tinyurl.com/JRiebensahm

Blog post by Stefano Pettinella - Partner & Pet Industry Lead of Riebensahm Agribusiness Recruiting Recently, I stumbled over this quote by S. McNutt. At first, I wondered whether "S. McNutt" was fictional or a real person. It turns out that Sylvester McNutt III is a 9-time bestselling author, podcaster, public speaker, and father from Chicago. Sylvester teaches people how they can change their attitude through self-awareness and self-discipline. Sylvester's quote made me pause and think. It has something to it and it underscores the principle of one of my best supervisors, mentors, and role models I have ever had: the late Randy Partee, then executive at Hill's Pet Nutrition. He consistently emphasized that it is always better to make a decision than making no decision, because even suboptimal or wrong decisions can be corrected at any time. And to make decisions, first and foremost courage is required! Decisions are based on rational, but also emotional considerations – the latter being our "gut feeling". Both dimensions can be ignored or one can simply ponder endlessly – with good or bad gut feelings. Sylvester's quote also resonated with me because it emphasizes the importance of acting over excessive thinking and brooding. It touches on several key concepts: The trap of overthinking: Excessive thinking can lead to decision paralysis. Searching for the perfect outcome is "wasting energy" in analyzing every conceivable option.. Trust yourself: Believe in your own abilities and judgments – our intuition, our "sixth sense". Learn through experience: The practical experience gained from making brave decisions and acting upon them, has greater value than abstract perfectionism. Reject perfection: Strive for unattainable ideals is an illusion. Imperfections are part of human existence. Progress is often only achieved through agility: assess, adjust and then, crucially, act.. For those seeking a career change or simply more fulfillment, Sylvester McNutt’s quote (and the advice of my mentor Randy Partee) has deep relevance. Often one gets caught in an "analysis paralysis," endlessly pondering options without ever making a decision. Sylvester encourages breaking this cycle and taking concrete steps towards change, even if not all the answers are clear from the beginning. This also requires accepting imperfection. The fear of mistakes or not achieving perfection can be paralyzing. His emphasis on the fact that action can also lead to imperfect results, which are still valuable, helps put this fear into perspective. It reminds us that experiences and learning from mistakes are often more valuable than stagnation in “supposed” safety.t. We can help you put Sylvester’s guidance into action and stop wasting your energy on overthinking. As experienced consultants and business coaches with industry, personnel, and leadership expertise, we are particularly qualified as your sparring partners on your journey of self-awareness. We would be happy to accompany you on this journey, Contact us today so you don't stop halfway to developing your full potential! Stefano Pettinella – Pet Industry Lead https://tinyurl.com/SPettinella Michael Witt – Agribusiness Lead ’Crop’ https://tinyurl.com/MichaelWitt Dr. Jochen Riebensahm - Agribusiness Lead ’Livestock & Technology’ https://tinyurl.com/JRiebensahm

A blog post in the series 'Job Change in Agribusiness' by Michael Witt, Agribusiness Lead 'Crop' and Business Partner of Riebensahm Recruiting A successful job change without an experienced personnel consultant at your side? As someone who knows the industry from the inside, this idea is almost incomprehensible to me. Let me explain why from my perspective as a recruiter. Access to exclusive opportunities: Searching for the perfect job can quickly become a time-consuming occupation - especially if you have to rely on traditional avenues such as job boards or company websites. As your consultant, we not only open doors to the generally accessible job market, but also give you an insight into the otherwise hidden job market that is only known to insiders. This exclusive access will save your valuable time and will open up opportunities that would otherwise remain undiscovered. A new start with added value: A job change is often more than just a new career start; it is a conscious decision for an improved quality of life and a corporate culture that values appreciation. As your trusted partner, we offer you the opportunity to talk about your professional visions, wishes and any concerns in a protected environment. This clarity about your own goals and values is crucial to pursuing a truly fulfilling career that will help you personally and professionally More than just intermediaries: Good recruitment consultants do not see themselves as mere brokers of CVs. At Riebensahm Recruiting, our focus is on bringing people together who not only fit together professionally, but above all on a personal value basis. We strive to ensure that you not only find a new job, but a position where you will experience a high level of job satisfaction and personal growth. With our extensive industry experience, we offer you valuable insights into potential employers and their corporate culture to ensure an optimal fit. Your next step towards a fulfilling professional future: Don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We offer you comprehensive advice on your professional and career-related questions - free of charge. Together we will find out what you are really looking for and how you can achieve it. Thanks to our expertise, particularly in the specialized areas of agribusiness and the pet industry, we are able to support you effectively and ensure an excellent 'match' with our clients.. We look forward to accompanying you on your journey and laying the foundations for your next professional challenge together. ... Contact details ... Stefano Pettinella – Pet Industry Lead Michael Witt – Agribusiness Lead ’Crop’ Dr. Jochen Riebensahm - Agribusiness Lead ’Livestock & Technology’

A blog post in the series: 'Changing jobs in agribusiness' by Bettina Lichtenberg "I don't want to be a manager anymore." I hadn't expected that. I had known the man on the screen for a long time, we used to be colleagues and I knew that he was a respected manager. When I cautiously asked what had changed, he explained: "Leadership means responsibility. And this responsibility is becoming more and more. It's getting too much for me." I hear that again and again - in very different professions. But is it really about the responsibility itself? There are often other causes: stress, a challenging working environment, excessive demands and the constant juggling between different roles. Here are 5 tips on how you can better deal with this feeling: 1.      Reflection: what stresses you out? Is it the responsibility or are there other reasons? 2.      Change your perspective: talk to someone you trust or a coach. 3.      Prioritization: Not everything that is urgent is also important. 4.      Set boundaries: It's okay to say no - you don't always have to take on everything. 5.      Self-care: Consciously take time for yourself. Responsibility, flexibility or salary are often just placeholders for deeper needs and desires that are not fulfilled at work. It is crucial to recognize the real reasons behind these placeholders. What are you really looking for in your life and career? For my former colleague, it was the pressure of always having to be perfect. The solution: delegating tasks to his team and clearly communicating his expectations. His biggest realization was that he doesn't carry all the responsibility alone, but is well supported by his team. Before you think that less responsibility is the solution, ask yourself: What is really behind this? And what do you need to feel satisfied? As experts in all aspects of agribusiness - including the pet industry - and coaching we will be happy to advise you on specific questions relating to the topic of 'remuneration packages'. Our contact details: Stefano Pettinella | Pet Industry Lead | https://tinyurl.com/SPettinella Michael Witt | Agribusiness Lead 'Crop' | https://tinyurl.com/MichaelWitt Dr. Jochen Riebensahm | Agribusiness Lead ’Livestock & Technology’ | https://tinyurl.com/JRiebensahm

A blog post in the series 'Job Changes in Agribusiness' by Michael Witt, Agribusiness Lead 'Crop' and Business Partner of Riebensahm Agribusiness Recruiting You're on Easter vacation and have received another unsolicited job offer? You are annoyed by the networking request of a recruiter? It is advisable to check who contacted you! If you have questions about the j ob market in agribusiness or simply want to orient yourself, it is advisable to contact a personnel consultant with personnel and industry expertise. This will significantly contribute to being optimally informed and thus in crease your chances for a successful job search. An equally important aspect for success is a realistic self-perception and your openness to feedback. If you are latently thinking about a job change, contact the consultant who has inspired your confidence. Preferably with your concrete wishes for the next step. The chances of finding your dream job increase, because as HR consultants we have access to the hidden Agribusiness job market and know positions that are often not visible on Linkedin & Co and are not published elsewhere. Also, consultants are often the first to know about new positions to be created before they are even defined. A recruiter with HR and agribusiness expertise should be part of your network to realize potential opportunities and make contacts in the future. Shape your career in agribusiness - including the pet industry - with our support - we look forward to hearing from you! Feel free to contact us, even at unusual business hours: Bettina Lichtenberg – Coaching Lead https://tinyurl.com/BLichtenberg Stefano Pettinella – Pet Industry Lead https://tinyurl.com/SPettinella Michael Witt – Agribusiness Lead ’Crop’ https://tinyurl.com/MichaelWitt Dr. Jochen Riebensahm - Agribusiness Lead ’Livestock & Technology’ https://tinyurl.com/JRiebensahm